Road safety in commercial, industrial, and residential zones is a priority. However, in a bustling city like Melbourne, roads losing their integrity are a major concern. Growing potholes, road damages, and accidents numbers are some of the most common complaints. Many motorists and pedestrians complain about higher traffic volumes and road damages risking their lives. Especially when rainwater and industrial contaminants run through the roads, the problem gets only worse.
If you are from the commercial or industrial sector, preventing these issues are your immediate responsibility. This where designing kerb and channel on the corners of drivelanes, parking lots, and busy streets can make a huge difference.
In this blog we will guide you through their meaning, benefits, design factors, and situations that make them a relevant construction. Alongside, we will see how kerb and channel contractors in Melbourne will help you in the process.
What is a Kerb and Channel?
Kerbs are concrete structures that are built along the road edges. It rises slightly in height which draws a line between road and landscape or sidewalk. On the other hand, channels are metal drains on the corners of the road. It lays flat on the sides, draining all the rainwater and other streams coming out of commercial and industrial buildings.
You cannot imagine a road with a kerb without having any channel drain. Similarly, a channel system on the road without the kerb is pointless. As both these structures function together, it is important to explore its many benefits.
Why to Choose Kerb and Channel?
In the urban and semi-urban areas, kerb and channel are not just a choice. Rather, it is a requirement to make roads and people driving on them safe. For that matter, choosing reliable kerb and channel contractors in Melbourne can make the construction process seamless.
Let’s discuss the many benefits of kerb and channel systems.
- Draws a Clear Boundary:
Kerbs’ help is separating the roads from the sidewalks. Or if there are parks or lawns nearby, it keeps away the vehicles moving over the landscape area. Drawing a boundary defines each area and prevents the cars and buses from coinciding with other lanes.
- Manages Traffic Flow:
A road without a kerb and channel is directionless. Designing a kerb and channel on roads keeps the traffic flowing one after the other. This is more useful in busy streets, commercial lanes, or near industrial areas. As these structures occupy the corners, vehicles moving in high-traffic zones are always safe and harmless.
- Prevents Accidents:
In Melbourne, high-traffic zones with kerbs and channels can stop the vehicles from taking over other vehicles. As kerbs manage access to driveways, parking lots, and side streets, vehiculars will always know the entry and exit points. Ultimately, this prevents vehicles from entering the road from unexpected areas. It all comes to finding concrete contractors in Melbourne who can install them intelligently.
- Manages Water Flooding Issues:
Kerbs and channels are highly useful for controlling the standing water on roads. Kerbs put an end to water running on the roads. With the help of channels, all the water drains down easily. A proper drainage system reduces the risk of flooding. As no water collects on the roads or slopes, the fear of vehicles and pedestrians slipping off can come to an end.
- Completely Stops Soil Erosion:
Rainwater and contaminated water coming out of industries and commercial buildings can wash away the soil in landscape areas. With the help of kerb and channel, a barrier can prevent water from eroding the soil quality. Moreover, it restricts the water from entering beneath the road surfaces, preventing chances of potholes and road damage.
How to Choose the Kerb and Channel Design?
The choice of kerb and channel design can seem to be a personal choice. However, it is a fair and thoughtful decision. Concrete contractors in Melbourne decide the designs after considering the traffic flow in the area, pedestrian safety, drainage needs, aesthetics, and the location. However, some of the professionals also include you in approving the final designs which is a good sign.
Here are some factors that can help you choose the right kerb and channel design.
- Traffic Flow:
Determine the traffic volume in the area. If you are designing a driveway in a commercial or industrial area, make sure the concrete mix used in the kerb has strength and durability to sustain daily wear and tear. Keep in mind the foot traffic and ensure that the design is safe and accessible for pedestrians.
- Safety:
Think about the safety practices when discussing the design for kerb and channel. For example, if you are constructing a driveway, a kerb should be at a height which restricts vehicles from accidently crossing the side lanes.
- Drainage Requirements:
Concrete contractors in Melbourne begin their work with inspecting the area for any road defects, utility lines, and drains existing at the moment. Based on the analysis, take note of the area’s drainage requirements. If the area already has sufficient drainage, repairing them is the best decision. But if the rainwater in your location demands efficient water management, then considering high-end channels with kerbs can solve the problem.
- Aesthetics:
Some areas with proper designs in kerb and channel can benefit from high street appeal. If you are choosing kerb and channel design, make sure to colour, add texture, and finish after the curing process. This should also complement the nearby street furniture and sidewalks.
- Compliance with Building Regulations
In most of the industrial and commercial units, choosing the design is not completely in your hands. You have to take permission from your area’s or state’s local building authorities first. If you have their confirmation, you will need to abide by the dimensions, materials, and safety protocols to maintain the road safety.
Obtaining local building permissions can be time-consuming and stressful, it is best to have a professional contractor who complies with safety regulations and Australian building laws.
When to Design Kerb and Channel?
Now that you understand the purpose of designing kerbs and channels in Melbourne, know the right time to design them.
Each of the situations that requires a kerb and channel design should follow a systematic approach. It is important to lay the designs after doing the first layer or grading the base but before starting the final paving or landscaping work. Here are some of the situations when designing a durable and effective kerb and channel becomes the need of the hour.
- New Road Construction
- Urban Development Projects
- Road Upgradations
- Drainage Improvement Works
- Commercial Parking Lots
- Sidewalks
- Environmental Projects
- Location-specific Site Analysis
Final Words
We hope you liked reading this blog. Clearly, kerb and channel is one of the significant road construction upgrades. It helps in managing traffic flows, reducing road damages, draining water to the designated spots, and contributing to the environment changes.
This blog outlined the use of kerb and channel, its benefits, factors that help decide the right size and design, and scenarios that necessitate their installation. Kerb and Channel contractors in Melbourne are professionals who can thoroughly analyse the site and design them with all the safe and sound measures. If you are searching for one, trust Roadseal Civil contractors today.
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